Rob Thomas w/ OneRepublic and Carolina Liar

It’s ironic that Rob Thomas rubs so many people the wrong way, given that the Matchbox 20 singer-songwriter tries so hard to please everyone with his sentimental, sky-scrapping alternative rock. Yet for all his effort, he’s viewed as a second-tier Bono, without the critical credibility or the goodwill amassed by decades of charity and outreach to back up his inflated ego. Thomas emerged as a viable solo artist in 1999, singing Santana’s “Smooth,” and since 2005 has recorded and toured on his own, releasing this year his second solo album, cradlesong, which sounds like a particularly fierce, self-righteous Matchbox 20 album.

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Apparently the main person he rubs the wrong way i...

Apparently the main person he rubs the wrong way is the Sheperd Express Staff. I've never read such an ill-informed article. His latest CD, Cradlesong, has been receiving strong critical reviews, he is well-known for his charitable work, both through the foundation he founded, Sidewalk Angels ,as well as the time and money he has given to many, many causes. His friends - both in and out of the entertainment industry - know they can always count on him to contribute generously with his time and talent. He is the rare modern rock artist who doesn't care about trying to fulfill someone's preconceived ideas about what his music should be. He moves fluidly from pop to rock to country to jazz to funk and soul, refusing, if you'll pardon the pun, to be boxed in. He writes songs that are meaningful to him and if people enjoy it, so much the better. I've never met an artist so unconcerned about trying "to please everyone" or where he fits in on the radio dial. "Write good songs and the people will want to listen" is his philosophy and it is working out just fine for him. Sorry if that rubs you the wrong way. Maybe a little research into your subject matter might be in order next time out.